US Honda reports 4.2% increase in June 2015

A 4.2% sales increase (with 134,397 units sold) in the U.S. was reported by American Honda Motor Co. in June 2015 compared to the same month the previous year. This improvement came after having had a 1.3% increase in May. The company posted declines in March and April of this year.

For the Honda and Acura divisions, light trucks contributed much to the increase. However, Acura was driven up by strong numbers when it comes to cars. In fact, it was only one of very few brands to have a strong showing in cars. In June, sales of Honda Division increased by 0.9% to 118,870 units.

However, its light truck sales increased by 18% with 56,830 cars sold while cars declined by 11%. Honda Division general manager Jeff Conrad said that its SUV lineup was “already in very good shape” but it is now stronger than ever because of the addition of the 2016 Pilot last month.

CR-V crossover sales climbed 8.5% to 28,349 units last June. Meanwhile, 7,760 units of the smaller HR-V crossover were sold in its first full month after it arrived in the market. Honda’s car segment didn’t do as well. Accord sales decreased by 15% while Civic deliveries fell by 11%. The Accord suffered because of an excess in supply and the resulting selldown last year.

Only the Fit model stayed healthy, with a 26% increase compared to June 2014, when supplies fell drastically because of delays in production. Honda’s plant in Celaya, Mexico, produces the Fit. Even if car sales are low just like the rest of the industry, the automaker intends to give its car lineup an update later in the year.

Expect a refreshed Accord to debut this July. It might start selling by the end of the year. This fall, Honda’s showrooms in the U.S. will welcome the all-new Civic sedan. Dealerships will be getting the Civic coupe in the winter. Conrad said that the company will renew and add to its car lineup in the upcoming months.

Acura division had a terrific month last June with a 39% increase in sales to 15,527 units. Its sedan deliveries more than doubled compared to the same month last year. Its 5,878 cars sold earned it a 108% gain. These results coincide with the arrival of the all-new TLX midsize sedan and a heavily updated ILX compact sedan (which reported a 79% increase compared to last year).

A 15% increase was reported by Acura’s light-truck sales with 9,649 vehicles sold. The updated RDX compact crossover sold 45% more units, offsetting a 6.1% drop in sales of the MDX midsize crossover.

Acura Division general manager Mike Accavitti expressed how exciting it has been to see Acura sedan succeed in a market dominated by light trucks. He pointed out that the refreshed RDX is a source of pleasure but he believes that the key to Acura’s future is the increasing momentum of the TLX and ILX.